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Needed Lap Band Center Of Excellence In So Cal



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Corrigan, my insurance company put me in touch with them because they said they are a CoE. But I lived in the SB/Riverside area for 15+ years and had never heard if it. So all I did was google it and everything that came up was negative. That's why I went with Oliak and now Burch!

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Check out Dr Suh in Corona. His performs surgery at Inland Valley Regional Hospital in Murrieta which is a COE. Dr Suh has an excellent reputation and is all about educating his patients.

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Thank you everyone for your help. I went to Cedar Sinai today and was extremely happy with Dr Burch and his extensive staff. I am very happy with my choice and can't wait to get further down this life changing path! A special thanks to Corrigan!

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Parkview Community Hospital Is NOT a Center of Excellence with accreditation from any reputable medical society!

If you Have heard otherwise, please let me know.

Yes....American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery.....

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Any doctor who will accept what insurance pays for bariatric surgery if you are blue cross or blue shield ppo in california ($1000 for lapband which includes 3 months of follow up visits) is doing as many surgeries as he can in a day and will not be following your weight loss closely. they will see you as little as possible because they do not get paid! they will be doing your surgery as fast as possible because they do not get paid! you get what you pay for. any doctor who specializes in this and has built a practice around it will be charging the patient. do your research. ask how much your doctor gets reimbursed by insurance for your surgery and then do the math relative to the work involved to take care of you. funny how people will pay up for the nice car but not their own health.

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I have blue shield and my doctor gets paid and spends time with me. No nurse assts or PA. I see the surgeon for every visit.

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Correct me if I am wrong but are saying that only people who pay for surgery get taking care of...because I would have to disagree!

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I had a consult with Dr. Oliak the other week and although there is a program fee involved, for me it makes sense. I've been going back and forth about having this surgery done for probably 2 years and I've seen a lot of people get the surgery done and not do well because of the lack of support. I'm still on the fence about moving forward, but if I'm going to do this, I want the best. The consult with him was for almost an hour and to be honest, I was surprised I got a private consult rather than attending a group seminar. Right there I felt like I would be in good hands if I chose him for my surgery. For me, money shouldn't be a major factor when it comes to changing my life. Not saying that it is for you, but for me I could see a major difference between practices that offered an extensive program and those that didn't.

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Just be sure to do at least an internet search of any doctor or clinic you're interested in. Find out their experience

and history. As with any profession, not all surgeons are created equal. Your few hours of research may save you

a lifetime of misery. Whatever you decide, I wish you the best of luck.

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Dr David Davtyan offers the best aftercare in the Los Angeles area. See one of his patient testimonials:

"...Now 6 months later, I am well on my way to my goal weight. I have lost 60 lbs. All of my diabetes is gone along with high cholesterol, fatty liver and high blood pressure. I can run up and down the stairs and walk for miles with no heavy breathing. I am almost ready to shop in "regular" stores. I don't buy "old lady" clothes anymore. I sleep in my own bed and don't wake up every few hours. But not only have I lost weight, I still go out with my friends and eat what I like. I just eat a lot less of it. I don't have to "sacrifice" anything. My body lets me know when I have had enough and I listen. I have my life back. And I owe it all to Dr. Davtyan and his fantastic staff of caring personnel. I am not a "patient". I am a member of their growing family. If you are looking for a way to get your life back, call Dr Davtyan. I have see a miracle."

See more of Dr David Davtyan's testimonials:

http://www.lifescrip...x#disqus_thread

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@ Banded DD: what a wonderful, uplifting post. Congratulations on your success. I really needed to read a post like yours today. I have not yet had the surgery, but feel better about my choice after reading your post.

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    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
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